Tag: Laohachai

Like other forms of heart failure, low cardiac output and raised central venous pressure is what characterises the Fontan Circulation. However unlike other forms of heart failure, in Fontan circulation patients the primary limitation is absence of a subpulmonary ventricle.

Affects of Fontan circulation

Patients will experience reduced exercise capacity and respiratory muscle strength. Fortunately Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) improves exercise capacity and quality of life in adults with heart failure. This is evident from previous studies.

Purpose and method of study

The purpose of this study is to assess whether a home-based IMT program improves inspiratory muscle strength and the ventilatory efficiency of exercise in adolescent patients with a Fontan circulation.

Study findings

Findings from the study show that IMT is a simple and beneficial addition to the management of Fontan patients. It shows that IMT potentially reduces exercise intolerance and long-term morbidity and mortality.

Conclusions

The study shows that six weeks of IMT is associated with improving inspiratory muscle strength, ventilatory efficiency of exercise, and resting cardiac output in young Fontan patients.